Although much ink has been spilled in praise of the Kobe foreign homes, I found them (1) hard to get to and (2) not very impressive to look at or be in. If you're completely in love with Japanese history then your opinion may certainly differ from mine. I recommend visiting them yourself to get a sense of it. I'll give you one recommendation, don't go in the summer. My trip was in late June and, although July and August are typically the hottest months, it was sweltering. The fact that the foreign homes are located at the top of a rather steep hill certainly didn't add anything to their enjoyment.
However, if you did make the trip up the hill by foot, bus, or taxi you can easily hop onto the Shin-Kobe Ropeway for one of the most scenic views of Kobe city and Osaka bay. The Shin-Kobe Ropeway was definitely my favorite activity in the city, that's unless you consider eating an activity. The Shin-Kōbe Ropeway is Japanese aerial lift line in Kōbe, Hyōgo, operated by Kōbe City Urban Development. It has an official nickname Kōbe Yume-Fūsen. Opened in 1991, the line links Shin-Kōbe Station and Nunobiki Herb Garden. Its scenic view is popular among tourists.
